Abstract
Mixed-linked (1
→
3), (
1→
4)-β-
d-glucan contents of 14 selected cereal grains grown in Turkey, such as barley (
Hordeum vulgaria), beans, canary seed (
Tropaeolum peregrinum), corn/maize (
Zea mays), flax, lentil (
Lens culinaris), millet (
Panicum miliaceum), oat (
Avena sativa), peas, rice, rye (
Secale cereale), spelt (
Triticum spelta), spring wheat and winter wheat, were determined quantitatively using enzymatic methods. By using pure β-
d-glucanase and β-
d-glucosidase in the experiments, (1
→
3), (
1→
4)-glycosidic bonds of linear polysaccharides found in cell-wall endosperm of plant seeds were hydrolyzed and the resulting β-
d-glucans were determined by using glucose oxidase/peroxidase solution and measuring the absorbances at 510 nm in a UV-spectrophotometer. The nutrient mineral contents of the 14 selected cereal grains were studied. Some macronutrients such as K, Ca, Mg, N, P and S, and some micronutrients, such as Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and B, were analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrometric (AAS) methods. A flame photometer was used for determination of potassium. After oven drying of the samples, P was determined by a colorimetric method.